ThermoTrans® P 32100

The universal transmitters for temperature measurement with resistance thermometers and thermocouples - in a 6-mm housing with infrared interface, SIL approval and broad-range power supply

The Task
In virtually all areas of industry temperatures are continuously measured and often used as reference input for closed-loop control systems, monitoring systems, safety shutdown systems, or for similar critical jobs. Here, normally the highest demands are placed on accuracy, flexibility, and functional safety as well as electrical safety.
Different sensors are used depending on the measuring task. They provide a raw signal which is prepared, linearized, and standardized for further processing using a temperature transmitter.


The Problem
There is a very wide range of standardized and commercial temperature sensors. The large number of sensors, connection variants, individual temperature ranges, different supply voltages, and required output signals call for very variable transmitters that can be optimally suited to the different conditions. However, the required flexibility should not be paid for with complex operation. Rather, it is desirable that adjustments can easily be made on the site. High performance should not result in increased susceptibility - high reliability and availability are key requirements.


The Solution
The ThermoTrans® P 32100 universal temperature transmitters provide connection possibilities all common thermocouples and resistance thermometers. They can be flexibly adapted to the respective measuring task using DIP and rotary decoding switches or via an IrDA® interface. The broad-range power supply works with voltages from 110 V AC to 230 V AC and ensures maximum safety even with instable mains supplies. 3-port isolation with protective separation up to 300 V AC/DC according to EN 61140 ensures optimum protection of personnel and equipment as well as unaltered transmission of measuring signals. The ThermoTrans® P 32100 offer maximum performance in the smallest of spaces.
Resistance thermometers can be operated either in 2-, 3-, or 4-wire configuration. The configuration type is automatically recognized, adjustment is not required. All commercial thermocouples can be detected with internal or external reference junction compensation.
Input voltage signals up to +/- 1000 mV are converted into 0/4 to 20 mA or 0 to 10 V standard signals. This enables low-cost implementation of current measurements using shunt resistors, for example.
Special measuring tasks can be solved with ThermoTrans® devices that Knick configures according to individual specifications. Fixed range models without switch are used, for example, when manipulations or mix-up are to be excluded.
Knick offers the ThermoTrans® P 32100 transmitter with SIL approval for applications with high demands on functional safety. The requirements of EN 61508 were implemented by a specially developed hardware and software. The fail-safe concept makes use of structural measures at the device level (redundancy of system components) and diagnostics methods for selective fault detection. The product is SIL 2 approved (EN 61508) by an authorized body (TÜV Rheinland).


Operating Software
The user-friendly, menu-guided Paraly® SW 111 communication software runs on standard and pocket PCs and opens a number of further options such as access to further sensor types, input of customer-specific linearization curves, readout of the connection configuration, as well as the use of extensive diagnostic functions. Configuration, documentation and, if necessary, maintenance of entire plant components can be accomplished by "infrared remote control". Moreover, the output current or voltage can be specified independently of the input value using the simulation function - a useful feature for plant commissioning or revision.


The Housing
The modular housing - 6 mm - is stingy with enclosure space and allows high component density. DIN-rail bus connectors inserted in the mounting rail facilitate the power supply connection if necessary.